Hilmar Jensson

Bio

Hilmar (b.1966) first picked up the guitar at the age of six but started studying formally at age eleven. In 1982 he started studying jazz at FIH school of music in Iceland and graduated from there in 1987.
He the went to Boston to study at Berklee College of Music and got his BM degree in 1991. While in Boston he played with his peers and took private lessons with Mick Goodrick, Jerry Bergonzi and Hal Crook to name a few.
After teaching and performing in Iceland for two years Hilmar went to New York in 1993 where he played with various musicians as well as taking private lessons with Joe Lovano. Since returning to Iceland in 1994 Hilmar has performed and recorded in a wide variety of settings and appeared on over 40 records including 7as a leader or co-leader.

Hilmar has been nominated 7 times for the Icelandic Music Awards and in 2001 he received the award for the Composition of the Year in the Jazz catagory for his composition "Serenity"

“Kjár” is an ongoing collaboration of his with bassist Skuli Sverrisson (known for his work with Laurie Anderson and for being one of the most in demand bass player in New York's downtown scene).
Since 1999 Hilmar has been a member of Jim Black’s AlasNoAxis, a critically acclaimed NY based quartet that records for Winter & Winter and has toured extensively in and Europe.
Hilmar is also one the founders of Kitchen Motors, an Icelandic record label, think tank and art organization.

Hilmar has performed and/or recorded with Tim Berne, Leo Smith, Kevin Drumm, Herb Robertson, Trevor Dunn, Greg Bendian, Jim Black, Chris Speed, Briggan Krauss, Jamie Saft, Cuong Vu, Rafael Toral, Carlos Zingaro, Tom Rainey, Ben Perowski, Per Jörgensen, Eyvind Kang, Terje Isungset, Arve Henriksen and Ståle Storlokken to name a few.
He has performed in 30 countries in 3 continents.
He has appeared at such jazzfestivals as Salfelden, Willesau, Mulhouse, Holland festival, Cheltenham Jazz, Brey Jazzfestival, Molde international jazzfestival, Bergen Nattjazz, Copenhagen Jazzfestival, Jakarta jazzfestival, Sofia jazzfestival, Música Improvisada Lisboa, Musicus Concetus Florence, Foroya jazzfestival and Reykjavik Jazzfestival.

Bio CD's News Reviews Pictures Links Stuff I like!! e-mail Home	Bio Hilmar (b.1966) first picked up the guitar at the age of six but started studying formally at age eleven. In 1982 he started studying jazz at FIH school of music in Iceland and graduated from there in 1987. He the went to Boston to study at Berklee College of Music and got his BM degree in 1991. While in Boston he played with his peers and took private lessons with Mick Goodrick, Jerry Bergonzi and Hal Crook to name a few. After teaching and performing in Iceland for two years Hilmar went to New York in 1993 where he played with various musicians as well as taking private lessons with Joe Lovano. Since returning to Iceland in 1994 Hilmar has performed and recorded in a wide variety of settings and appeared on over 40 records including 7as a leader or co-leader. Hilmar has been nominated 7 times for the Icelandic Music Awards and in 2001 he received the award for the Composition of the Year in the Jazz catagory for his composition "Serenity" “Kjár” is an ongoing collaboration of his with bassist Skuli Sverrisson (known for his work with Laurie Anderson and for being one of the most in demand bass player in New York's downtown scene). Since 1999 Hilmar has been a member of Jim Black’s AlasNoAxis, a critically acclaimed NY based quartet that records for Winter & Winter and has toured extensively in and Europe. Hilmar is also one the founders of Kitchen Motors, an Icelandic record label, think tank and art organization. Hilmar has performed and/or recorded with Tim Berne, Leo Smith, Kevin Drumm, Herb Robertson, Trevor Dunn, Greg Bendian, Jim Black, Chris Speed, Briggan Krauss, Jamie Saft, Cuong Vu, Rafael Toral, Carlos Zingaro, Tom Rainey, Ben Perowski, Per Jörgensen, Eyvind Kang, Terje Isungset, Arve Henriksen and Ståle Storlokken to name a few. He has performed in 30 countries in 3 continents. He has appeared at such jazzfestivals as Salfelden, Willesau, Mulhouse, Holland festival, Cheltenham Jazz, Brey Jazzfestival, Molde international jazzfestival, Bergen Nattjazz, Copenhagen Jazzfestival, Jakarta jazzfestival, Sofia jazzfestival, Música Improvisada Lisboa, Musicus Concetus Florence, Foroya jazzfestival and Reykjavik Jazzfestival.